Lucky Friday Mine To Reopen In Northern Idaho Following 3 Deadly - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho (AP) - Officials with Hecla Mining Co. say the Lucky Friday Mine in northern Idaho will reopen early next year after a lengthy closure following three accidents that killed two miners and injured seven others.

The Spokesman-Review reports (http://bit.ly/RRhVCv) the company on Tuesday said it plans to resume mining in the first quarter of 2013 and expects to produce more than 2 million ounces of silver.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration in January ordered the mine closed for safety improvements, putting more than 100 miners out of work.

Hecla officials say cleanup and repair of the 6,100-foot-deep Silver Shaft should be finished by the end of the year.

During 2011, a cave-in killed a miner in April, another died in November dislodging rock, and a rock burst injured seven in December.

Information from: The Spokesman-Review, http://www.spokesman.com

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)